Options for Master Program after Academy?

I've checked on the USAFA admissions website and noticed the possibility of attending a Master program after graduating from the Academy. Could anyone care to comment on how realistic this is? I assume that the Air Force will have a say on whether a commissioned officer will or will not attend a Master program. I also understand that the needs of the AF may dictate this. But does the officer himself/herself have a say? Does it depend on the GPA, the major, etc.? If a Master program can be done, can one enroll right after graduation, or...? I would appreciate your help with this!

Thank you!

From what I've read here, top 10% of a class qualify, and no, it is not forced on you. You get a say. If I'm missing anything, people, please add.

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I believe there was another thread on this within the past two months that answered the questions about how many cadets are able to go directly from the Academy to a full-time graduate program and in what areas. If a cadet is not selected for one of those programs, they can (with permission of their commanding officer) enroll in part-time grad programs (within a certain commute distance from their base, or on line) My daughter, a 2013 grad, is a Finance Officer at Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware. She is enrolled in a part time (night) MBA program for which she receives tuition assistance. She graduated from the Academy in May 2013 and started the MBA program in January 2014. My point being, there are ways to enroll in grad programs (so long as that program furthers the officer's job skills -- I'm sure there is a military word for that) even if the graduating cadet does not attend a full time program right out of the Academy.

dohdean said:

I believe there was another thread on this within the past two months that answered the questions about how many cadets are able to go directly from the Academy to a full-time graduate program and in what areas.

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That thread is HERE

Stealth_81

After going to SS this summer, my leader said that nearly all students going into an engineering career field will have the opportunity for masters or grad after USAFA.

Thank you!

I was not aware of the older thread, which more comprehensive and informative! Thanks everyone!

I will say that it is not always a choice. DD found out directly after returning from Spring Break. She was not adverse to the idea, however she had her first choice assignment and didn't really apply for a Master's program. She was told to make a decision in three days. When she asked if she could delay for say, two years the answer was not if she wanted to keep her AF career. Basically it would always be a mark against her if she declined the program. Some more background, she did not even try when she took the Master's program standardized test, it was just highly recommended by her department (Physics) to take it. She took it late over Christmas break and did not expect to get in. She did well enough on the test, don't get me wrong, she has a way with standardized tests and has never spent 15 minutes studying for one. She did accept the Nuclear Engineering slot(Ohio) and gave up her first choice assignment(Florida). She will get only three weeks of her 60 days of graduation leave. Sometimes sacrifices are made for the good in the long run. Just thought I would throw a little slant on this.

kdc246, I'm sorry to hear your daughter had that experience. For my class (2010, which is ages ago now), we were told if we were eligible for any scholarship and if so which ones. We then submitted applications for the scholarship(s) we wanted and played the waiting game. For most AFSCs (engineer, scientist, etc) the grad school was your assignment and nothing follow-on was guaranteed (meaning you would be giving up your assigned base for grad school). Pilots on the other hand would have their UPT base held until completion of their grad degree.

Bottom line to be competitive was have a very high GPA and be near the top of the class. Then it depends on what year and what all is available (2010 only sent the USAFA-sponsored slots to AFIT, so if AFIT didn't have it you were out of luck)

Eagle; what do you mean when you said:

"Then it depends on what year and what all is available (2010 only sent the USAFA-sponsored slots to AFIT, so if AFIT didn't have it you were out of luck)".

Did you mean the class of 2010 only allowed engineering grad school slots to AFIT at Wright Patterson? Hornet is a 2010 grad and he did his grad school at RAND. I'm sure I'm just reading what you wrote incorrectly.

Christcorp said:

Eagle; what do you mean when you said:

"Then it depends on what year and what all is available (2010 only sent the USAFA-sponsored slots to AFIT, so if AFIT didn't have it you were out of luck)".

Did you mean the class of 2010 only allowed engineering grad school slots to AFIT at Wright Patterson? Hornet is a 2010 grad and he did his grad school at RAND. I'm sure I'm just reading what you wrote incorrectly.

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He's referring to a USAFA sponsored scholarship. Those are all done through AFIT (things like department scholarship, AFSC-based, etc.). RAND, Rhodes, NSF, etc. are not USAFA sponsored. While national scholarship schools are managed by the AFIT civilian programs (AFIT-CI), they are not USAFA-sponsored.

AFIT-CI is for programs that are not available through AFIT in Ohio but are done by a scholarship to attend a civilian university. Eagle36 did his AFIT schooling through the OR department scholarship offering.

Though, eagle, I thought a couple people went to AFIT-CI through a USAFA scholarship. Didn't our mutual friend, RK, do a AFIT-CI scholarship to UCCS?

Thanks Hornet. I knew I was misreading it. Thanks for the clarification. Mike....